Vlad Bunoan

Novelyn Natividad shares why pageants for married women matter

Article (news)

Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769044607696image0 (1).jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-dragging"/></div><p>The beauty pageant scene has undoubtedly evolved, since it now embraces married women whose allure extends beyond being mothers at home.</p><p>And as they often say, no one should tell them that their prime is over — they provide insight into what it truly means to be a woman in a world that is changing with time.</p><p>Pride of Nueva Ecija, Novelyn Natividad, who was crowned Mrs. Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan 2025/2026, told ABS-CBN News why beauty pageants for women of all ages are important.</p><p>“First and foremost, becoming a mother does not bring an end to our existence.While I admire women who choose to stay at home, I applaud those who pioneer, break ground, and create experiences outside of motherhood,” Natividad expressed.</p><p>“As married women, marami pa tayong puwedeng gawin. Akala natin na okay lang na mamalagi sa bahay. But deep inside your heart, [married women] dream of doing things that show who they are. What if the hidden happiness is there? Gusto kong i-share sa mga nanay na katulad ko to never settle sa word ng pagiging nanay lang. You can do more,” she added.</p><p>Aside from being a mother, Natividad, who has received the People&#x27;s Choice Award, the Special Queen Ambassador, and the Noble Beauty special awards, owns a business and organizes charity work, which she finds fulfilling.</p><p>“Serving others brings fulfillment. Additionally, we inspire younger generations when we take actions like these. They can learn from us that accomplishing goals in real life is more important than appearing flawless on social media,” she told ABS-CBN News.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769044621435image1 (1).jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>Inspiring others, she went on to say, “My advice to women is to bring whatever they have to the table without overthinking how they should seem or look. Beauty fades, but the things you contribute do not.”</p><p>However, the beauty queen acknowledged that the physical demands are greater now than they were in her younger years.</p><p>“Noong bata pa ako, lahat ng energy [ay] mayroon pa ako. But as you age, nababawasan na lalo na kapag kulang ka sa tulog. Hindi na kaya ng katawan mo and ‘yun pala ang pinakamahirap na parte sa pageant,” she admitted.</p><p>She continued, “Nakakadalawang tulog lang ako sa pageant. Normally, pagdating ng 10 p.m., matutulog na ako and I have to sleep eight hours a day to regain my energy. May isang araw na bumagsak talaga ako at hindi ko kaya.”</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1769044630176image2.jpeg" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>Her victory demonstrated that, despite the physical challenges, she was able to overcome them and captivate viewers and judges alike.</p><p>“As a marketer, hindi na ako mahiyain pagdating sa pakikipagusap sa tao. Pero sa pageant, kailangan na maging confident ka lalo na kapag question-and-answer. You’ll be [monitored] by so many judges, so iba ang level na tinatanong ka, iba ang level ng nakikipagkwentuhan ka. It was another experience for me,” she shared.</p><p>The Mrs. Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan 2025/2026 contest took place in Singapore and Malaysia in December.</p>

<p>For Novelyn Natividad, who was crowned Mrs. Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan 2025/2026, beauty pageants for women of all ages are important.</p>

For Novelyn Natividad, who was crowned Mrs. Asia Pacific Cosmopolitan 2025/2026, beauty pageants for women of all ages are important.